2 Striped Shirts

 Hello Readers. I had 2 striped button-up shirts. I was surprised at how well they matched. I knew that they could make something fun if I put them together. But what should I make?

Before and after. 

I had 2 shirts. I like the one I am wearing in this picture. I wear it often. The shirt on the hanger was from a clothes swap. I didn't realize how much they matched until I brought it home. How should I put them together? I thought about making a skirt so that it would look like a dress when I wore them both together. 

 

But then I thought matching shorts would be better. It would make a cute 2 piece set. And I could continue to wear the shirt alone if I wanted to. I cut out my shorts from the body of the shirt. 

 

I just had to put these 2 pieces together. What an easy project, right? Well, it was about to get messy. 

 

I decided to add the shirt pocket to the back of the shorts. That would be useful and the pocket was already put together. I wanted to use it. 

 

I put them together and I thought everything would be fine but I was wrong. 

  

I attached the pocket and I thought I was almost done. I added an elastic waistband and then... I realized that the shorts were a little tight. I didn't want tight shorts. I wanted a looser fit to match the fit of the over-sized shirt. 

 

All I had left were the sleeves. Let's try to enlarge these shorts. 

 

The only fix I could think of with the fabric I had available was to add panels to the sides. The stripes on the sides would have to be horizontal but I liked that so I got to work. 

 

I cut the shorts open on the sides. It was a straight cut and straight new seams to sew in the extra fabric. 

 

I added the side panels and hoped for the best.
 

Here are my new shorts. They would be looser now and I thought they would work. 

 

I liked this new 2 piece set. The loose fit is comfortable and casual. Life is too short and too difficult for uncomfortable clothes. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. And if it doesn't work out at first keep going, keep trying, you'll get there.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Button Down Remake

 Hello Readers. I saw this shirt at a thrift shop and loved this floral fabric. I loved the colors and thought it would be great to refashion.

Before and after.

 

When I found this on the rack it was the middle of winter but I thought it would be perfect for summertime. I saved it until now.

 

This shirt was such a pretty and feminine floral. The shirt style seemed boxy and was not as feminine as the fabric. I got to work.

 

I cut a round neckline to remove the stiff collar.

 

I used my serger to finish the new neckline I had just cut. I didn't want it to fray. Then I turned the edge under and sewed it down. I sewed it wide enough to put elastic through and around the neck. 

I threaded elastic around the neckline to gather the shirt fabric. I stitched the neckline closed when the elastic was threaded through. This will gather the fabric around the neckline.

I made a tiny hole inside the sleeve at the hem. I used this as a casing for elastic as well. 

I tied the elastic in a knot and this made a little puffy sleeve. 

I liked the new shirt. The open neck was much more comfortable for me. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- This was such a pretty green. I gained a little weight and sadly it got a little too tight to wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buttondown to Tie Front Shirt

 Hello Readers. Check out this preppy button-down shirt. It was too stiff and formal for me. (It looks like I skipped class at my ritsy private school to meet with my banker about my investments.) But I did love all the different colors. Let's make something fun.

Before and after.

I cut the sleeves into a short sleeve length. I saved the sleeves for later.

I also cut off the collar. 

I cut the button plackets off. I won't need them.

I cut the length of the shirt shorter. I wanted it to be shorter and I didn't want that high-low hem. 

I used my serger on all the cut edges so they wouldn't fray. 

Then I turned the edges under and used my sewing machine to sew them down. 

It was all looking nice and neat. 

I cut one of the sleeves into strips. I needed to make ties for the front of the shirt. 

I folded them in twice and sewed them together.

I tied the ends in a knot to finish them.

I used clips to arrange the ties evenly on the front of the shirt. 

 

Then I took this shirt on a road trip.

This shirt is so much more fun than a button-down shirt. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- This top got a lot of wear until it got too cold. It will come back in spring for sure.

The Duck Shirt

 Hello Readers. When I saw this fun shirt at a thrift store and I knew I should bring it home with me. It is absolutely ridiculous and I love it. Who made this? They need a raise immediately!

Before and after. Yawn!

 

The little ducks had orange beaks and for a quick minute I really wanted to put these 2 pieces together. That is crazy right? I was going quackers. (hahaha, I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself.)
 

I cut the sleeves and shoulder of the shirt away. I just wanted the body of the shirt. 

I used my serger to make sure all those cut edges didn't fray.

I pinned this yellow ribbon around the top of the shirt. I folded the shirt over on itself so that it would fit the ribbon.

 

 I sewed the ribbon to the top of the shirt. The ribbon is a fun pop of yellow.

I used the same ribbon to make shoulder straps. I sewed them in the front first. Then tried it on to make sure I had the length right before attaching the straps in back.

I thought this would be a sundress but it really looks like sleepwear. That is OK with me. I needed summer sleepwear. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

Quack.

 

 ***Year End Update***- I wanted to wear this more than a nightgown so I made a tank top that I could wear during the day.

Resize a Buttondown Shirt

 Hello Readers. I like thrifting but sometimes the clothes I like don't fit. I started sewing about 30 years ago so I could alter my own clothes and make them fit. This post is an example of an easy alteration that anyone could do.

Before and after.

I found this sweater and this shirt at different thrift stores but they went together so well. Pink is perfect for spring, and the sweater is perfect for a chilly spring day. The problem is that the shirt was so big, it made lumps under the sweater. I wanted to wear the shirt under the sweater so I would need to alter the shirt. 

I used the sweater as a guide for sizing the sweater. 

I also measured to make sure I cut off the same amount of fabric from each side. 

The shirt was very oversized but the sleeves were smaller. I cut off the excess fabric from each side but I didn't change the sleeves. 

I put the new side seams together. 

This shirt is now more my size. I could wear it alone or ...

I can wear it under my matching sweater like I wanted in the first place. New side seams were fast and easy to sew. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- This pink was so peaceful and I wear it a lot.